The Voice 2013 Top 8 Performance Show Recap: Now THIS Is A Singing Competition

I have to warn you, someone may have slipped me Prozac because this week’s recap of The Voice 2013 Top 8 performance show is the most positive thing I’ve ever written.

For some reason, most of the show this week was upbeat, fun and even the song choices were pretty solid. As always, I’ll review each performance and assign the letter grade I think each one deserves.

Team Adam: Judith Hill, “#That Power.” First of all, let me say that things like song titles with “hashtag” in the title will be the demise of the planet. But the song doesn’t suck as much as you’d think based on that title. Especially when people who can actually sing cover it. Like Judith. She had a lot of fun with the song and delivered a pretty solid performance. Grade: A-

Team Blake: Holly Tucker, “Done.” Another upbeat and fun song. That’s how you make a reality singing show. Holly really rocked tonight with her vocals and I loved the staging and production of the song. This great performance was perfect timing for her because Danielle Bradbery is surely out showing her on Team Blake. Grade: A+

Team Blake: The Swon Brothers, “Seven Bridges Road.” OK, first things first. That staging was ridiculous. Really? A camp fire? Too distracting. It’s a good thing the performance was pretty solid. It’s actually probably their best as far as I’m concerned. So that probably means they’ll go home Tuesday sine this is the first time I’ve like them. Ha. But to be serious, it was a good performance. They achieved the perfect harmonies they were shooting for. Grade: A+

Team Shakira: Sasha Allen, “Without You.” I think this was also a smart moment for Sasha. She’s at heavy risk of going home Tuesday, so if her version of “Without You” can score enough iTunes downloads, she might be able to save herself. The performance was exciting and entertaining, just like the first three. This is how ever episode of The Voice should be. Grade: A

Team Adam: Sarah Simmons, “Somebody That I Used To Know.” This song is about a year too late to be relevant on a singing show, but I won’t hold that against her. I think Sarah’s version of the song was better than the original. I think she’ll be safe for another week. Grade: B+

Team Usher: Michelle Chamuel, “Grenade.” I’m not sure why she always insists on dressing like a 1980s comedian, but I’ll again try to ignore her stage presence. The vocals were solid, but her song slowed down the night’s energy and that makes me mad! Grade: B

Team Blake: Danielle Bradbery, “Grampa (Tell Me About The Good Old Days).” Blake went old-school with this song choice. But it was pretty awesome. It was sweet and somehow young despite it being an old song. And the vocals were pretty flawless. And I loved this staging. Grade: A+

Team Adam: Amber Carrington, “Skyfall.” Wow, this is a risky choice. And even though it’ Adele, I’ll give it a break because it’s so fresh and not overdone on sining shows that it’s cool. No one can be as big as Adele, but Amber sure tried. So her version of the song, without considering Adele, was bretty stellar. Grade: A+

I’m going to go ahead and call this the best episode of The Voice this season. And then I’m going to go try to find more of whatever someone slipped into my Memorial Day beer.